Hook-and-Loop Type Brassiere Fastener

ABSTRACT

An improved hook-and-loop-type fastener for a brassiere, where a stiffening member provides anti-curling support that may also be decorative and easier to handle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to foundation garments of the brassiere type, and, more particularly, a brassiere with hook-and-loop-type adjustable fasteners.

BACKGROUND

Many women have problems with brassieres of the art in that the shoulder straps slip off of the shoulder. Several inventions have arisen dealing with the problem of strap slippage from the shoulders. Solutions in the art to this problem include (i) racer-back style where the shoulder straps are directed over the shoulder and then to the center of the back, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,498 B1 issued Jan. 2, 2001 to Wagner; (ii) use of strap holders that provide friction against the skin, such as silicone, including silicone strap beds, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,628 issued Dec. 7, 2004 to Kaye, et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,923 issued Oct. 21, 2003 to Waitz; and (iii) means for adjustment of the length of the shoulder strap. A means for adjustment of the length of a shoulder strap also provides a means to adjust the tautness of the attached brassiere cup, which itself is anchored beneath the breast by the torso-encircling member. The present invention provides a means for adjustment of the length of shoulder straps.

Presently popular shoulder strap length adjustment means in the art use a friction-grip belt-type holder through which the strap and the strap end slide and hold against each other. With many straps, the friction grip slides throughout the day, requiring adjustment and readjustment throughout the wearing period and problems with strap slippage from the shoulders. The strap slippage is due in part to variation of body positions, but also often due to incremental strap length increase.

The problem of shoulder strap length slippage was minimized in the art by the doubling back of the straps through the friction loops, e.g. Fildan U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,634 May 9, 2000, and also by using strap elastic with tiny loops along the sides of the strap elastic to provide visual decoration and also enhanced friction and reduced slippage, or other means to increase friction, e.g. Fildan U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,626 May 2, 2000. However lessened, the problem of strap length slippage remains for many users.

The present invention utilizes friction-gripping hook-and-loop-type fasteners. There have been a few examples in sports bras of using friction-gripping hook-and-loop-type fasteners (e.g. Velcro). U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,236 issued Jan. 26, 1999 to Johnson, discloses a size adjustable bra with a wrap-around design where the Velcro attached at the sides, defining (i) the circumference around the chest/torso and (ii) the tightness over the shoulders and (iii) the tightness of the cups. The manner of the garment construction in that patent is strikingly different from the traditional bra strap construction, as is Johnson's U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,785, which issued Feb. 15, 2000. U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,498 B1 issued Jan. 2, 2001 to Wagner, mentioned above with relation to its racer-back shoulder strap design, uses hook-and-loop-type fastener adjust the tautness compression layer of the cups in a movement-controlling sports bra.

In more closely-related art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,045 issued Dec. 26, 2000 to Miller et al., shows length-adjustable shoulder straps where the length is fixed using hook-and-loop-type fasteners to attach the end of the shoulder strap back to itself after passing it through a loop and setting the desired length. U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,194 issued Mar. 13, 2001 to Grier shows VELCRO shoulder straps and VELCRO fastening torso-encircling member.

Adjustable tension encirling the torso is often accomplished in brassieres of the current art through the use brassiere sizing with two inches between base size, coupled with three spaced pairs of hook and eye closures, each pair being spaced half an inch apart.

Several U.S. patents disclose the use of hook-and-loop type fasteners in a torso-encircling direction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,194 B1 issued Mar. 13, 2001 to Grier and U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,348 issued Aug. 6, 1991 to Farino disclose hook-and-loop closures on torso-encircling members. The next three patents use hook-and-loop type fasteners to adjust the tension in the torso-encircling direction: U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,502 issued Jul. 23, 1996 to Johnstone; U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,236 issued Jan. 26, 1999 to Johnson; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,785 issued Feb. 15, 200 also to Johnson. These last two patents also use hook-and-loop type fasteners to adjust tension encircling the torso: U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,364 issued Sep. 14, 1999 to Brown et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,227 issued Jun. 22, 1993 to Michels.

One drawback of the hook-and-loop-type adjustable bra strap fasteners of the art is that the end of the straps can curl, making the bulk under the shirt increasingly obvious as the strap is unfastened and re-fastened time and again. Another drawback of the hook-and-loop-type adjustable bra strap fasteners of the art is that the inside of the shirt fabric can get caught and snagged on the hook side of the hook-and-loop-type fasteners. This is particularly a problem when the fasteners curl, which can result in damage to the shirt.

The present invention provides an improvement in bra strap construction that builds upon the advantageous adjustable nature of a hook-and-loop-type adjustable bra strap fastener by solving the problem of curling and accidental snagging during wear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system having a stiffening member such that the stiffening member prevents flexion of the free end of the brassiere bearing the hook component of the hook and loop type fastener. The stiffening member is constructed of a firm material. Non-limiting examples of such firm materials include plastic, nylon, metal, wood, and boning.

Exemplary objects and advantages of the present invention include in at least one embodiment: provision of a means for adjusting the fit of a brassiere; provision of a means for adjusting the size that is easy to adjust; provision of a means for adjusting the length of a brassiere shoulder strap that prevents length slippage of the adjusted strap; and provision of a hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system that will resist end curling. In some embodiments of the present invention, the stiffening member provides a decorative element.

Still further features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side exploded view of a brassiere shoulder strap 30 bearing a hook-and-loop-type fastening system showing the hook-type fastener 44 and featuring a stiffening member 46 according the present invention. The hook-type fastener 44 and the stiffening member 46 are shown attached to the strap 30 in two different ways. In A, the stiffening member 46 forms a cover over the strap end 30. In B, the strap end 30 is embedded into the stiffening member 46. The dotted lines represent stitch lines where the hook-type fastener 44 and the stiffening member 46 are sewn to the strap 30.

FIG. 2 is a side exploded view of a brassiere shoulder strap 30 bearing a hook-and-loop-type fastening system featuring a stiffening member 46 and a decorative cover 48 according the present invention. The dotted lines represent stitch lines where the hook-type fastener 44 is sewn to the strap 30. In this Figure, the stitches also serve to attach the stiffening member 46 to the strap 30 that may be additionally attached with an adhesive. A and B show two different designs of decorative covers 48 that provide a smooth silhouette and decorative design elements.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a front-opening brassiere with a torso-encircling member 20 bearing a hook-and-loop-type fastening system featuring a stiffening member 46 according to the present invention. The hook-and-loop type fasteners are not visible in this view, but the dotted line represents the stitches that attach the hook-type fastener to the edge of the free end that is reinforced with the stiffening member 46. The stiffening member 46 shown here has a decorative shape.

FIG. 4 is a side exploded view of a front-opening brassiere free end of a torso-encircling member 20 bearing a hook-and-loop-type fastening system 40 featuring stiffening members 46 and decorative covers 48 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of two different adjusted positions of a brassiere shoulder strap 30 bearing a hook-and-loop-type fastening system featuring decorative covers 48 according the present invention. The loop-type fastener 44 is shown on the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A contemplated brassiere fastening system comprises a hook component attached on the surface of a free end of a brassiere. Pursuant to the present invention, the hook component on said free end of the brassiere is supported by a stiffening member, also attached to the free end. The stiffening member is attached to the free end of brassiere in a covering relation with a portion of an edge of the brassiere to which the hook component is attached. When fastened, the hook component engages a loop component, which is attached on a surface of the brassiere.

For reference example, the brassieres 10 of the art in which the present invention is useful typically include a torso-encircling member 20, one or two breast-receiving cups 25, and shoulder straps 30. The cup 25 attaches directly or indirectly at the front of the torso-encircling member 20 at the lower margin of the cup. Shoulder straps 30 connect, directly or indirectly, the upper margin of the cups to the back of the torso-encircling member 20.

The purpose of the brassiere fastening system combined with the brassiere style directs the location of the “free end” of the brassiere to which the hook component is attached. Similarly, the location of attachment of the loop component depends upon the purpose and style of brassiere.

In a contemplated embodiment, the free end to which the hook component is attached is a free end of the torso-encircling member. The loop component is also attached to the torso-encircling member thereby permitting releasable fastening of the torso-encircling member. In one of those embodiments, the fastening closure is in the front of the torso-encircling member, generally between the breast-receiving cups. In another of those embodiments, the fastening closure is in the back of the torso-encircling member, typically center back. This embodiment permits adjustable tension encircling the torso. Practical reasons, primarily comfort, result in preference of the back-closing embodiment (not shown in the drawings) to have a smooth, flat stiffening member. In the front-closing embodiment, there is significantly more latitude for decorative creativity in shaping the stiffing member. More than one stiffening member may be employed to protect the desired portions of the edge. The attachment to the “torso-encircling member” should be construed loosely in a front-opening embodiment where the hook component extends from the bottom of the band up between the breasts. The fastening of this hook component sets the tension of the torso-encircling member.

In another contemplated embodiment, the free end is on the bra strap. In one of those bra strap embodiments, an embodiment where the bra strap folds back upon itself and is fastened, the loop component is attached to the bra strap, as well, in a spaced arrangement. Preferably, in such a spaced bra strap arrangement of the hook and loop components, the spacing and positioning is such to permit bra strap length adjustment through a practical range for that style brassiere and wearers. Typically, the free end bearing the hook component and stiffening member passes through a loop or opening, and folds back to fasten. It is contemplated that the bra strap material be able to pass through the loop or opening, or optionally the hook component/bra strap material assembly, or optionally the hook component, bra strap material and stiffening member assembly be able to pass through the loop or opening.

The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system of the present invention is contemplated for use with a wide variety of brassiere types. The invention contemplates use of an improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system in brassiere types that are front opening, back opening, maternity bras, sports bras, strapless bras, surgery recovery bras, bras for positioning prosthetics, bras with seamless cups, various combinations of elastic/stretchable material with inelastic/non-stretchable material, stays and stiffeners for various manners of lifting and supporting and compressing the breasts. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere strap fastener can be used with bras whose torso-encircling members attach with hooks, plastic or metal connectors, are elastic all the way around, or attach using a hook-and-loop type fastener.

It is contemplated that a stiffening member of the present invention is useful to provide lasting shape for the hook-and-loop type fastener on a torso-encircling strap as well as for a shoulder strap. The invention contemplates that a stiffening member may itself provide decoration in addition to its function in stiffening the fastener. In an embodiment, the stiffening member has a decorative cover component that snaps or clips on.

The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere strap fastening system, described herein and as illustrated in the drawings, utilize a popular system of clothing fastener in the art known as a hook-and-loop-type fastener. Examples of hook-and-loop-type fasteners include materials available under the VELCRO™ of Velcro Industries B.V. company in the Netherlands, VELTEX loop laminate fabric from Industrial Webbing Corp. in Boynton Beach, Fla. VELCRO “soft and flexible” fasteners and ULTRA-MATE ultra-thin high performance fasteners are available from the Velcro website.

A firm and smooth layer, referred to herein as a stiffening member, is securely attached to the free end of the brassiere to which the hook component is also attached. Typically, the stiffening member is closer to the external surface of the brassiere when in position for use than the hook component hook-and-loop-type fastener, because the hook component must be exposed on the internal surface for adhesion to the loop component of the fastener.

The present invention contemplates several embodiments of the stiffening member. The simplest embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1 in a shoulder strap 30, where the stiffening member 46 is attached directly to the outer surface 36 of the free end 34 of the brassiere to which the hook component 42 is attached. In one of these embodiments, the hook component is sewn to one side of the free end of the brassier, and the stiffening member is sewn to the other side of the free end of the bra strap.

The invention contemplates a secure mode of attachment of the stiffening member to the free end, examples include adhesive glue, melting into the fabric weave, and preferably, particularly for plastic or nylon embodiments, sewing through both the free end and the stiffening member. In practice, guide holes may be formed in the stiffening member prior to attachment, or during the sewing process. In another embodiment, the stiffening member is attached securely to the free end utilizing a piercing bent material snap or stud-type attachment, preferred for a metal embodiment.

The stiffening member provides anti-curling support at edge of a free end to which the hook component is attached, for example at the end of a shoulder strap. In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening member has a slight curve inward toward the skin of the user so that the bra strap has a smooth appearance under a shirt, with no jarring protruding edges.

In an embodiment that is also decorative, the stiffening member itself, or its decorative cover component, or both, has a decorative shape that is preferably also smooth. In an embodiment, the stiffening member has a decorative cover component that attaches securely over the stiffening member. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention having a decorative cover. In the exploded view, the layers are, respectively, the hook component 42, which is sewn through the stiffening member 46 to the free end 34 of the shoulder strap 30. A decorative cover component 48 is contoured to provide room for the end of the shoulder strap. Both the decorative cover 48 and the stiffening member 46 extend beyond the edge of the shoulder strap 30. The decorative cover and stiffening member firmly engage each other through snap-type fasteners in the embodiment shown. In some preferred embodiments, the decorative cover and the stiffening member snap together. In some embodiments, there is a piercing attachment between the decorative cover and stiffening member that pierce through the free end of the brassiere, in the figure presently discussed, the free end is on the bra strap. In some preferred embodiments, the decorative cover and the stiffening member are permanently fused together in the manufacturing process.

In yet another embodiment, the stiffening member is covered in fabric. For example, the stiffening member could be slipped into an opening in the free end of the brassiere to which the hook component is attached, and then the opening sewed closed. In this embodiment, the covering relation is met in that the stiffening member is closer to the external surface of the brassiere than the hook component, and the stiffening member supports a portion of an edge of the hook component. The stiffening member does not need to extend out wider than the hook component as it does in many of the embodiments. A seam of the fabric covering may extend out even further than the stiffening member.

It should be noted that in most of the embodiments depicted in the drawings, the stiffening member does not extend the full length of the hook component of the fastener. Rather, the stiffening member supports a portion of an edge of the hook component that may be subject to curling. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a front-opening brassiere where the hook component extends along the front opening. In the depicted embodiments, there are two stiffening members 46 a and 46 b, one supporting each of the corners, one at the top corner 46 a, and another at the bottom corner 46 b. These are examples of the stiffening member extending along a portion of the edge of the hook component. In a different embodiment (not shown) where the fastener is used for a torso-encircling member, the stiffening member extends along the full length of the front opening, so that only one is needed, rather than two.

The stiffening member may provide an additional benefit in embodiments where it is easy to manipulate and handle than merely the hook-and-loop-type fastener of the art. This benefit is best realized in an embodiment wherein the stiffening member extends beyond the edge of the hook component, so that the hook component may be more easily grasped and separated from the complementary fastening loop component. In a bra strap fastening embodiment, extension perpendicular to the direction of the strap stresses (i.e. sticking out along the strap edge) for preferred grasping ease, and optionally also extension in the same direction of the strap stresses (along the strap). Similarly in an embodiment for a torso-encircling member, the stiffening member extends beyond the edge of the free end.

It is contemplated that the stiffening member be constructed out of a firm material. Non-limiting examples of such firm materials include plastic, nylon, metal, wood, and boning. Preferably, the stiffening member will maintain its shape and substantiality throughout several washings, including in a washing machine, including at the high temperatures to which the garment might be subjected in a dryer.

It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that a hook-and-loop adjustable shoulder strap may have the adjusting portion located at any position along the strap, from the end at the front, to the end at the back, or anywhere along the middle of the strap, depending up where the loop is placed that the portion of the strap bearing the hook-and-loop portions passes through. Examples of two positions are shown in FIG. 5. A doubly-adjusting embodiment is also contemplated. 

1. An improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system, wherein said brassiere fastening system comprises a hook component attached on the surface of a free end of a brassiere and a corresponding loop component attached on a surface of the brassiere wherein said hook component separably engages said loop component, the improvement being that said brassiere fastening system further comprises: a stiffening member attached to the free end of brassiere in a covering relation with a portion of an edge of the brassiere to which the hook component is attached.
 2. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system, wherein said brassiere comprises a torso-encircling member, and a breast-receiving cup attached generally above the torso-encircling member.
 3. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 2, wherein said torso-encircling member comprises said free end to which said hook component is attached, and said loop component is attached on the surface of the brassiere in a manner permitting adjustable fastening of the torso-encircling member.
 4. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 3, wherein said brassiere comprises two breast-receiving cups, and wherein said torso-encircling member fastens between the two breast-receiving cups.
 5. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 2, wherein said brassiere further comprises a shoulder strap, and wherein said shoulder strap comprises said free end to which said hook component is attached, and said loop component is attached on the surface of the brassiere in a manner permitting adjustable fastening of the shoulder strap.
 6. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 1 wherein the outer side of said stiffening member curves at its edges in toward the brassiere.
 7. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening member is made of plastic.
 8. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening member is sewn to the free end of the brassiere.
 9. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 5 wherein the hook component of the hook-and-loop-type fastener is sewn to one side of the free end of the bra strap and the stiffening member is sewn to the other side of the free end of the bra strap.
 10. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening member is exposed.
 11. The improved hook-and-loop-type brassiere fastening system according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening member is encased in fabric. 